Skylites/Light tubes

Bloodad | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 23, 2003 02:08am

A customer is wanting some of those light tube skylights installed in some second story rooms. The roof pitch is 10/12 . Has anyone had any experience with these things. What brand? What price? Problems? Whatever!

Thanks guys. (generic) Ford

Replies

patren61270 | Jan 23, 2003 06:58pm | #1
Hey Ford

Did an installation at the condo development I worked at about 3 years ago. Dont remember the brand name ( purchased at menards by homeowner) There is a brand called sola-tube thats available and I'm sure there are others. Cost for the one installed was about $100.00. The limitations on them is the length of tube from the roof to the ceiling. The longer the run the less light they will provide.The one that was installed came with a five foot run and we needed a ten foot. Had to order a longer tube from supplier, so check your dimensions from ceiling to roof. The installation is fairly straight forward but as always..... follow the directions!

Bloodad | Jan 23, 2003 07:13pm | #2
Hey jack of all trades,

Thanks for the headsup. $100. installed huh. What do they cost? About $20? $100 was what I was thinking about for labor per opening. Is it that easy, or what?

InTheCleftOfHisHand, ford

toolnut | Jan 23, 2003 07:18pm | #3
The one I've seen at HD run about $100 off the shelf. Extensions if needed are extra.
BossHog | Jan 23, 2003 07:28pm | #4
I wouldn't install one for $100, labor only. (Cutting and patching drywall/plaster, and the same on the roof) Although I admit it would vary somewhat with the ease of attic access, and the condition/pitch of the roof.

There are cheap tubes, just like everything else. Do you really want the cheapest one? I've heard the reflective lining flakes off the cheap ones after a while.

I've also heard that people aren't impressed with how much light they put out - Roughly the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb.

But others swear by 'em, and really like them. Some say they leak heat, others say they don't. Take your pick.

Might be a good idea to go look at some that were installed before you decide.Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.

patren61270 | Jan 23, 2003 09:58pm | #6
Hey All

I think someone missed the line here... What I meant was the cost of the skylight tube was $100.00.The labor was charged to the homeowner through the company I worked for. I don't Know what the cost of installation was. The Installation was done in a newly constructed condominium so installing it was really no big deal. I agree that there has to be other considerations when installing one in older homes that require patch work and such.

Bloodad | Jan 23, 2003 10:09pm | #8
Jack of all trades,

You're right, I missread your original post and went off on a tangent about the price. Sorry. You offered good advise. The best part was about the Directions. How did you know I wasn't going to read them?

InTheCleftOfHisHand, ford
patren61270 | Jan 23, 2003 10:18pm | #9
Ford

Hey you know how it is with us...."we dont need no stinking directions". Just threw that in there for humor. My wife gets on my case about stuff like that all the time. meant nothing by it of course.....Good luck!

Bloodad | Jan 23, 2003 10:04pm | #7
Hey Boss Hog

From what I've seen of the attic, it is a walk-in from the second floor, access is a snap. I think where she wants the ceiling lenses is on the rake and that should be fairly close to the roof. I didn't think of that before and that could be a problem reaching up the wall/ceiling between rafters.

I don't know. What do you think the job would be worth, given what I've told you. You know, 10/12 pitch, easy access to attic...?!

InTheCleftOfHisHand, ford

BossHog | Jan 23, 2003 10:23pm | #10
I'm certainly no expert, and have never done one of these. But turning it over in my head, I'm thinking:

1/2 hour to figure out where HO wants it and check for problems

1/2 hour to re-check after HO changes their mind

1 hour for checking layout and cutting hole in ceiling.

2 1/2 hours to mark hole in roof, cut hole, and patch the shingles back in

1/2 hour to read directions - About 3 hours too late

1 hour for misc problems and cleanup

That's 6 hours multipled times your typical labor rate for the area.

Definitely WAG pricing, though..........(-:A miser is hard to live with, but makes a fine ancestor.
xMikeSmith | Jan 24, 2003 01:15am | #11
we've been selling and installing Suntunnel since '96..

2 sizes... 14" & 22"... apparently, Suntunnel has just been bought by Velux... so you should be seeing more of them in the future..

we allow 4 hours per install... but you might do it in two.. or you might have to head off some rafters/joists...

they COST about $200..

http://www.suntunnel.com/Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
andybuildz | Jan 24, 2003 04:35am | #12
Never understood those things...$200 bucks and installation charges....Is it that much more to do a skylight? I understand it goes in places where skylights dont but does one actually get that much more light other then a light bulb for the cost? Seems like a great sale for the manufacturor if you ask me.

Be lit

Namaste

andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
xMikeSmith | Jan 24, 2003 05:44am | #13
here's an example.... this is a 22"..... with the new addition... this now inside room would have no windows....

the first view is the roof top , near the valley...the second is the tortuous route the tube took...

and the third is the room lit up.... a 22" Suntunnel throws a lot of lightMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
xMikeSmith | Jan 24, 2003 05:47am | #14
so , maybe the rooftop unit looks like this ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
xMikeSmith | Jan 24, 2003 05:50am | #15
or like this in the snow...Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 03:57am | #18
Mike

      so is the purpose to get "natural light" vs bulbs? Its hard to see from your pics what its like with and without the tube. Not trying to bust bulbs.I mean ballz, just trying to understand the expense its worth.

Be lit

       Namaste

                  Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2003 04:33am | #19
andy.... they sell themselves... any room without natural light is a candidate..

long dark halls....bathrooms... interior rooms..you name it...a Suntunnel will light it.. what'smoney got to do with it ?

we're talking SUNLIGHT !Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 04:43pm | #20
Mike

     Hmmmm, maybe I'll try it in the bathroom I'm doing in my house now. The addition I'm doing in the spring will block off the one window and my archy said I might want to use "shared light" (a new expression for me) from the room next door but I dont like that idea so......If you have any recomendos on the best one to use give me a shout.

Thanks

     Be lit..lol

                Namaste

                           Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2003 04:51pm | #21
andy... i still like Suntunnel..

i like the amount of light.. the way it looks on the roof, the way you can bend it around obstructions... the light kits available to turn it into a 24 hour light source...

the factory finish on the flashings..

for a bath.. the 14" is usually the right size... 22" if you have the space

here's the link again..

http://www.suntunnel.com/Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 05:17pm | #22
Bob

Just checked out that link you sent. Doesnt seem to be a dealer too close to me but spose I could call them and see what they can do by mail. Maybe I could even become a dealer/installer. Seems simple enough. What do they run cost wise? Seems that they come with only 6' of tubing which seems a bit lite (so to speak). My guess is the additional tubing is where they get you (typical NY thing to say)?

What is the installation costs on a typical job usually?

Thanks Bob

andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2003 06:05pm | #23
yeah, whatever... we stock 25' lengths of the tube for non-standard conditions.. a 14" would run about $300..

your buddy.... Bob

Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 07:01pm | #24
yeh sorry bob I mean mike....ROFLO....funny enough a guy that works for me on occasion called me this morning and I was taliking to him about the tubes because he installed one in a summer house he has upstate NY. His name is Bob..whoops.sorry.

Ydna"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
MisterT | Jan 25, 2003 08:15pm | #25
Mike, Andy et al,

The best part of installing these is to go up into the dark attic/truss space on a sunny day and close the door behind you.

The tube looks WAY cool, like something out of Star Trek!

The Mylar kind of glows silvery.

Hard to describe but worth a look.

TDo not try this at home!

I am a trained professional!
xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2003 08:30pm | #26
like this .... only the attic is darker...Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
billyg83440 | Jan 25, 2003 12:15am | #17
These have a few advantages over skylights. One is simplicity. A skylight requires framing and insulating a hole through the attic to the window in the roof. It also involes a lot of finish work. A light tube can be installed quickly w/o any finish work.

A skylight can let in a lot of heat and direct UV rays causing sun fading. A light tube is isolated by a large sealed column of air, so it doesn't transfer the heat nearly as well as a traditional skylight.

Many of the manufacturers let you install a light bulb in the tube, so at night you can switch on the light. Some even allow you to hook up a vent fan plumbed through the tube. Though that doesn't seem like a good idea.

Due to the heat issue alone, I would never consider a skylight on the south side of my house. But I intend to add a light tube.

billyg83440 | Jan 23, 2003 07:56pm | #5
I did a bunch of research on these about 2 years ago. I don't think I found one that went for less then $130. There are many manufacturers, quality levels, sizes, and options to choose from. I've forgotten which, but some of the cheaper ones are noted to leak.

Here's a couple of bookmarks I've kept. Don't recall which ones I'd decided I liked best.

I still think they're a great idea and eventually hope to put 1 or 2 in my kitchen. Hopefully someone who's actually used them will chime in with some specific brand recommendations.

http://www.atlite.com.au/skytube.htm

http://www.tunnelite.com/Tunnelite.htm

http://www.contractorlocate.com/diy/texis/d/links/?arg=Tube+Skylight&skip=10
cjeden | Jan 24, 2003 07:18am | #16
I installed one of these in my land locked bathroom (no windows)--it works really well on sunny days not so well when it's cloudy, and it's not any good at night unless there's a full moon--it's a joke. Anyway you wouldn't want to do this with a paying customer but when I installed mine I discovered that the tube was about 24 inches too short for the run I had--and being cheap and inpatient I didn't want to spend the extra $50-$75 on an extension--so I run down to the kitchen grabed the tin foil and some aluminum tape and --drum roll-- you guessed it--it works fine -trust me.

cje

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